Pho Dena — Restaurant in Maryland

We drove 40 minutes to get here to try out the fresh noodles which are only offered at this restaurant in this DC/MD area. We ordered peach fruit drink, spring rolls, chicken wings, Pho Dena special and well done briskets, special dish of steak, eggs, meatballs, pate and banh mi, and finished our dinner with mango, sticky rice and ice creams and salted egg coffee. The drink was so good with a great aroma from peach pulps and just right amount of sweetness. The spring rolls which I forgot to take pictures here were so refreshing with fresh vegetables and shrimps . The crispy chicken wings were so tasty, crispy and yet juicy, and had perfect seasoning and good sizes. The pho soup was WOW, absolutely delicious and authentic which reminds me of a bowl of delicious pho from my country, Vietnam. The noodles were another WOW factor, so fresh and just like what we used to have back home. The meat has higher quality and were fresher as compared to other restaurants in the area ( I cook pho so often that can taste the differences of meat quality). The banh mi with steak and meat balls was also good as pictured as as expected. Finally, the mango sticky rice and ice cream and salted egg coffee were really a big hit for us at the end, they’re so good!!! We finished every bits of the Pho and all other dishes😁 The restaurant is extremely clean, modern yet still hold the traditional Vietnamese characters. The owner is extremely friendly and kind. He really spent his time to talk to us and show us his restaurant best dishes which we tried and finished them all😉All waiters were so friendly and polite as well. The price is right because the quality speaks itself. Food is our health and good, healthy, high quality food is necessitated for our healthy body. We used to drive an hour to Eden center in Virginia occasionally for Vietnamese food, but now we found a better place!!! We will come back again with our friends and family members and will try other dishes next time. Thanks Pho Dena for your service and high quality, authentic food. P.S. If you are not familiar with Vietnamese food, Pho will be your best and safest option. It’s the tastiest noodle soup with the only fresh Pho noodles in town. You must also try the chicken wings, salted egg coffee and mango sticky rice and ice cream; they...

I've read good reviews and comments about their excellent pho as well as their above-average prices here. So, I drove 30 minutes to check it out for myself. Well, I just don't know if these reviewers grew up eating Pho or if they have ever tried cooking it themselves but my experience left me questioning my sanity for driving all that way and spent $41.04 for lunch by myself for a bowl of pho, an appetizer, a glass of tap water and tip.

I remember watching Chef Emeril on TV teaching the audience how to make pho. I totally lost my respect for him after he overcooked the pho noodles to the point where they were literally break apart when being handled. Maybe they left my bowl sit too long before bringing it out to serve me. The bowl was not as hot as expected and it cooled down significantly quickly as I ate it. Or maybe it was because the bowl was smallish in size and didn't hold enough hot broth to keep it hot longer. It could be all those reasons.

Also, if you have read my reviews of other Pho places, I expect not just Thai basil but also culantro to be brought out. Well, this place didn't have culantro. As for the broth, it was not bad and not great. I asked for fish sauce to kick it up a notch. Sadly, so many places just don't pho with a bold beef taste and aroma anymore around here. Also, I prefer my noodles thin and has texture. This place serves fat noodles, and that, again, was overcooked to mushy in consistency and texture.

Well, folks, to each his own. Plenty of reviewers liked this place. I just don't feel that the restaurant did its homework on pricing their menu items and that their pho is good but not good enough to drive past other Pho places and to pay way higher prices here.

Hopefully Pho Dena will do some homework, quality control and rethink their pricing strategy. Around here, the Pho restaurants I've been to tend to be pretty busy on weekends. This place wasn't busy during peak lunch time on a Sunday. That to me says a lot more than I can ever write...

Tuesday, Jan 2, 2024, I had the pleasure of dining at Pho Dena, a promising new establishment in the heart of Pasadena. As an aficionado of Pho, my expectations are typically high, and Pho Dena did not disappoint.

Upon entering, one is immediately enveloped by the vibrant ambiance of the restaurant. The interior exudes a warm, inviting glow, harmoniously paired with the tantalizing aroma of exotic spices that ignites a sense of culinary adventure.

Despite my visit during the dinner rush at 7 pm, the restaurant was surprisingly uncrowded—a hidden gem awaiting discovery by the locals. The staff greeted us with exceptional hospitality, maintaining attentive service throughout our meal.

The appetizer, a round of shrimp summer rolls, set a high bar. They were a delightful amalgamation of flavors, hinting at the kitchen's prowess.

The centerpiece of the experience, however, was the Pho. As a self-professed Pho connoisseur, I have sampled this Vietnamese staple across Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard County, and I must say, Pho Dena's rendition is a standout. The broth, a critical element, was a clear, aromatic elixir that struck a perfect balance in flavor. Initially, the sweetness was surprising but melded beautifully with the noodles and meat upon tasting. The tenderloin, thicker than usual, was cooked to tender perfection, avoiding the common pitfall of becoming overly chewy. The noodles themselves were a revelation—flat, broad, and impeccably soft without losing their integrity.

Notably, the garnish plate was generous and of the highest quality. The basil was notably fresh, and the jalapeños provided a warm, subtle heat that complemented the soup exquisitely.

In summary, Pho Dena is a culinary treasure that I am eager to revisit. I highly recommend it to the residents of Pasadena and beyond. Discover the hidden wonders of this exceptional establishment and let your taste buds embark on a...